Bentley II in Sturbridge retains some Pic favorites

The space that housed the former Piccadilly Pub in Sturbridge was vacant more than a year and a half before the new Bentley II Pub officially opened in May.

Regulars at the "Pic," and there are many out there, likely have returned to the site at 362 Main St., Route 20, to rekindle friendships and enjoy some of the dishes that put the Piccadilly Pub on the map.

William C. Martin owns and operates Bentley II Pub and Bentley Pub in Auburn, also a former Piccadilly Pub.

Martin at one time had a chain of 13 pubs, and in 2008 sold some of the assets and leased all Piccadilly Pub restaurants to an investment group in Canada. When the group closed the restaurants in 2012, Martin of Florida and co-owner Jon Klaucke reportedly assumed the assets of the restaurants.

Paul Alward of Shrewsbury, who worked for Martin for 30 years, 20 of them spent in Sturbridge, is general manager of Bentley II Pub.

The restaurant was renovated before "re-opening," and some of the former Piccadilly Pub employees have returned to work at Bentley II Pub, including Rob Rice, kitchen manager, according to Alward.

"We are known for our family-style dinners, quality food, reasonable prices and generous portions," said Alward. "The Pic in its heyday had the same draw."

The dish:

Bentley II Pub has a board of daily specials that change each month.

The current menu: Mondays: large cocktail shrimp, 50 cents each, served with cocktail sauce and lemon; Tuesdays: dinner for two, $15.99, choice of two entrees; Wednesdays: fish 'n' chips, $9.99, served with french fries coleslaw and tartar sauce; Thursdays: baked lobster pie, $14.99, served with two sides; Fridays: Fisherman's Feast, $15.99, which includes three cocktail shrimp, a cup of chowder and beer-battered fish 'n' chips.

Note: baked lobster pie, lobster roll and fish 'n' chips are among the pub's most popular dishes.

A cheese spread and crackers are complimentary at lunch; free popcorn during dinner hours.

The Triple Triple Burger is the company's novelty menu item — a nine-patty burger with nine slices of American cheese, topped with lettuce and tomato.

The Triple Triple Burger Eating Contest on Facebook and Instagram will be based and voted on for the most creative video from a contestant. The contestant must go into any Jake's Wayback Burgers nationwide, order a Triple Triple Burger, capture themselves eating the burger in the most creative way possible, and upload to Instagram and to the Jake's Wayback Burgers Facebook Contest page with the tags #TripleTripleContest and #WaybackBurgers.

Those with the most votes will win a MacBook Air.

In conjunction with that contest, on Sept. 14, Jake's Wayback Burgers will have its annual National Hamburger Eating Contest, all day, in which the contestant has to eat the Triple Triple Burger in the fastest time. The winner of the fastest time nationwide will win $3,330.

Both winners will be announced Sept. 18, National Cheeseburger Day, on Jake's Wayback Burgers social media platforms.

For more information about the contests, visit www.waybackburgers.com orwww.facebook.com/waybackburgers.

What a mouthful!

On Grandparents Day, Sept. 8, at Old Sturbridge Villag e in Sturbridge, all grandparents will receive free admission when accompanied by a grandchild.

Throughout September, adults 55 and older will get half price daytime admission to the village and additional discounts during OSV's "Senior Month" celebration.

In addition to half price admission, seniors 55 and older get free riverboat rides on the Quinebaug River, which runs through the village. Also, 10 percent off all food purchases and 10 percent off gift shop purchases of more than $25. There also will be a 10 percent discount at the newly opened Old Sturbridge Inn and Reeder Family Lodges.

The 25 participating chefs will use at least one of Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co.'s award-winning artisanal cheeses in their comfort food recipes. Cheese industry leaders will judge the competition. Guests will be able to sample each of the signature dishes and vote for their favorite recipes for the People's Choice Award.

The festivities will include live music and a petting zoo and other children's activities.

Harpoon Beer will provide beer pairings.

The Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co. (www.vermontfarmstead.com) is based in South Woodstock, Vt., and is the state's first community-owned dairy farm and a purveyor of unique farmstead and artisanal cheeses.

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.

If you have a tidbit for this column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.